Writing Notes: Compare and Contrast Essay

An outline for the introduction will look like this:

1A. Tell the reader what two items are being compared and contrasted and make a brief
opinion statement about them.
1B. Tell the reader that the two items have similarities but do not go into detail about
these similarities.
1C. List the ways that these two items are different (this could be one sentence or
multiple sentences)
Sample introduction paragraph to a compare and contrast essay:
Label the sentences below 1A, 1B, and 1C. Look back at what you
should include in an introduction paragraph.
The cave bat and the field mouse are animals that are intriguing and
misunderstood. At first, the two creatures appear to be somewhat similar. However,
under closer examination, these animals have distinct qualities that set them apart. The
cave bat and the field mouse have different habitats. In addition to their living spaces,
field mice and cave bats have unique diets. Finally, the public feels differently about
each animal.

Writing Notes: Compare and Contrast Essay (similarities paragraph)

An outline for your similarities paragraph may look like this:
2A. Make a topic sentence that tells the reader that they will be reading about
similarities.
2B. List one similarity between both items.
2C. Add details to describe how the two items are similar.
(Continue to repeat 2B-2C until all similarities are discussed.)
2D. Transition to the differences paragraphs.
A sample similarities paragraph to a compare and contrast essay:
Label the sentences below 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D. Look back at what you
should include in a similarities paragraph.
Cave bats and field mice share some similar qualities. For example, both of these
incredible creatures are related to each other. They both are in the rodent family, and they
are closely related to squirrels and rabbits. Because they are related, they share
commonalities with regards to their appearances. The cave bat and the field mouse are
both covered with fur. The fur on these animals extends from their heads all the way
down to their toes. Their ears also look the same. Each has small, rounded, cone-shaped
ears to help them to identify predators in the night. Furthermore, both of these rodents
are most active during the night hours. Cave bats and field mice use the cover of
darkness to find food while avoiding predators at the same time. Although they share a
great deal of similar traits, cave bats and field mice are also very different.

Writing Notes: Compare and Contrast Essay (differences paragraph)

An outline for your differences paragraph may look like this:
3A. Name the criteria in which the subjects will be contrasted.
3B. Tell about subject A with regards to the stated criterion.
3C. Give a detail of how subject A is with regards to the criterion.
3D. Tell about subject B with regards to the stated criterion.
3E. Give a detail of how subject B is with regards to the criterion.
3F. Lead the reader to the next difference.
Sample differences paragraph for the compare and contrast essay:
Label the sentences below 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F. Look back at
what you should include in a difference paragraph.
The natural habitats of the cave bat and the field mouse are one way that these
creatures are different. Cave bats live in dark, damp caves. Because of the limited
sunlight, these caves are rocky and have no plant life. Their shaded dwellings protect
them from the intense brightness of the Sun, which is essential due to their poor eyesight.
However, the field mouse lives in grassy plains. The amount of sunlight that shines over
the plains provides vast areas of vegetation and plant life. This foliage supplies a perfect
place for field mice to hide from their enemies. These two amazing rodents have other
qualities that distinguish them from one another.

Writing the conclusion to a compare and contrast essay

An outline for your conclusion paragraph will look like this.
4A. Tell what youve learned or what judgments you can make after writing the paper.
Do not use the word you or I.
4B. Tell which is more prominent; the similarities or the differences.
4C. Tell which differences or similarities are prominent.
4D. Tell what youve learned or what judgments you can make after writing the paper.
Sample conclusion to the compare and contrast essay:
Label the sentences below 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D. Look back at what you
should include in a conclusion paragraph.
The cave bat and the field mouse are similar and different to each other. Although
they share some similar qualities, the differences between these two creatures are more
pronounced. They are unalike with regards to their habitats, diets, and the way the public
perceives them. The likenesses and contrasting traits of the cave bat and the field mouse
demonstrate how fascinating they can be.